JUPITER, Fla. • The proof was in the pudding. Cardinals righthander Michael Wacha had his best two starts last season, including his first complete game and shutout, after he was given 11 days’ rest. These moves were made to help protect Wacha’s oft tender right shoulder, in which twice he has had a stress reaction, most recently late in the 2016 season.
“I would like to be the guy that could go every fifth day,” said Wacha. The 26-year-old finished 2016 with 30 starts instead of 32 and 165 2/3 innings rather than the 181 he had in his 17-win season in 2015.